Collapsible play yard and bassinet assembly combination

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments include a collapsible play yard and bassinet assembly combination. The floor of the play yard comprises a release mechanism attached to lower horizontal frame members of the play yard, and when the release mechanism is engaged, the lower horizontal frame members are moved upwardly and inwardly to collapse the play yard. The bassinet assembly has a floor and one or more side walls that have an upper perimeter, and the upper perimeter is adapted for securing adjacent the upper perimeter of the play yard. The floor of the bassinet assembly also defines an opening that allows a user to reach through the opening to access and engage the release mechanism without removing the bassinet assembly from the play yard.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 60/995,417, filed Sep. 25, 2007 and entitled “PLAY YARD,” which isherein incorporated by reference in its entirety. In addition, thisapplication incorporates by reference in their entirety the followingco-pending applications filed concurrently with this application: U.S.application Ser. No. ______, filed Sep. 24, 2008 and entitled “PLAY YARDAND BASSINET ASSEMBLY”; U.S. application Ser. No. ______, filed Sep. 24,2008 and entitled “MESH ARRANGEMENT FOR BASSINET ASSEMBLY”; U.S.application Ser. No. ______, filed Sep. 24, 2008 and entitled ZIPPERPULL TAB LOCK; U.S. application Ser. No. ______, filed Sep. 24, 2008 andentitled “REDUNDANT SUPPORT FEATURE FOR BASSINET ASSEMBLY AND PLAY YARDCOMBINATION”; and U.S. application Ser. No. ______, filed Sep. 24, 2008and entitled “SUPPORT FOR AN INCLINABLE BASSINET ASSEMBLY”.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A play yard, which is sometimes referred to as a play pen, is acontainment device that typically includes a rigid enclosure having fourside walls, a floor, and an upper opening through which a child may bemoved in and out of the play yard. The rigid enclosure includes upperand lower horizontal frame members that are joined by vertical framemembers, and a solid fabric material is positioned over the framemembers. The side walls typically include a mesh portion that extendsbetween the solid fabric material covering the frame members to allowfor visibility of the child within the play yard and provide adequateair flow to the child. In addition, the frame members may be collapsiblewith respect to each other to allow for easier portability and storageof the play yard.

Many play yards further include a bassinet that can be hung from theupper horizontal frame members of the play yard. In particular, thebassinets, such as the bassinet for attachment in a child's play yarddescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,778,465, typically include four side walls,a floor, and a plurality of U-shaped plastic hooks that extend from theupper perimeter of two or more of the four side walls. The plastic hooksare configured for engaging the upper horizontal frame members of theplay yard such that the floor of the bassinet is suspended above thefloor of the play yard. In some products, the bassinet includes a fabricloop along the upper perimeter of two or more of the four side walls,and each fabric loop receives a metal rod. The ends of each metal rodextend outside of the fabric loop and are received into molded U-shapedhooks disposed adjacent the upper horizontal frame members. Some otherproducts, such as the bassinet for suspension in a play yard playdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,434,767, include a combination of theU-shaped plastic hooks and the fabric loop and metal rod engagementmeans to support the bassinet floor above the play yard floor.

In addition, many play yards are collapsed by pulling up on a strap orhandle disposed on the floor of the play yard and attached to thehorizontal frame members and then, by releasing hinges along the upperhorizontal frame members. By pulling up on the strap or handle, thehorizontal frame members and the vertical frame members are drawn towarda central vertical axis extending through the floor of the play yard.However, this strap or handle is inaccessible when the bassinet isinstalled within the play yard, resulting in the additional, oftendifficult step of having to remove the bassinet to access the strap orhandle when the play yard is to be transported or stored.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments of the invention include a collapsible play yard andbassinet assembly combination. The collapsible play yard has upperhorizontal frame members that define an upper perimeter of the play yardand lower horizontal frame members that define a floor of the play yard.The floor of the play yard comprises a release mechanism, such as astrap or a handle, attached to the lower horizontal frame members, andwhen the release mechanism is pulled upwardly, the lower horizontalframe members are moved upwardly and inwardly toward the releasemechanism to collapse the play yard. The bassinet assembly has a floorand one or more side walls that extend upwardly from a perimeter of thefloor of the bassinet assembly and surround the floor of the bassinetassembly. The side walls have an upper perimeter, and the upperperimeter is adapted for securing adjacent the upper perimeter of theplay yard. The floor of the bassinet assembly also defines an openingthrough the floor of the bassinet assembly that allows a user to reachthrough the opening to access and engage the release mechanism withoutremoving the bassinet assembly from the play yard.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described various embodiments of the invention in generalterms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, whichare not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded upper perspective view of a play yard andbassinet assembly combination according to various embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an upper perspective view of frame members of a playyard according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a partial upper perspective view of the play yard andbassinet assembly combination shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates a partial upper perspective view of the play yard andbassinet assembly combination shown in FIG. 1 in which buckles are notengaged and the bassinet assembly is not secured within the play yard.

FIG. 5 illustrates a partial upper perspective view of the play yard andbassinet assembly combination shown in FIG. 1 in which buckles areengaged.

FIG. 6 illustrates an upper perspective view of the play yard andbassinet assembly combination according to one embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of an inner wall of the bassinet assemblyaccording to various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a cross sectional view of the inner wall of thebassinet assembly shown in FIG. 7 as taken through the 8-8 line.

FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of the inner walls of the bassinetassembly and play yard according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exaggerated side view of a floor and inclinableflap of the bassinet assembly according to the embodiment shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the floor and inclinableflap of the bassinet assembly as taken along the 11-11 line in FIG. 12.

FIG. 12 illustrates a partial upper perspective view of the inclinableflap of the bassinet assembly and the side walls of the play yardaccording to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 illustrates an upper perspective view of the floor andinclinable flap of the bassinet assembly when the inclinable flap ispositioned at an angle to the floor according to various embodiments ofthe invention.

FIG. 14 illustrates a side view of the floor and inclinable flap of thebassinet assembly when the inclinable flap is positioned at an angle tothe floor according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 illustrates an upper perspective view of the floor andinclinable flap of the bassinet assembly when the inclinable flap islaying flat against the floor according to various embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 16 illustrates a plan view of the floor and inclinable flap of thebassinet assembly according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 illustrates a cross sectional upper perspective view of a zipperpull tab lock according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 18 illustrates an upper perspective view with a partial cut away ofthe zipper pull tab lock shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 illustrates an exploded upper perspective view of the zipperpull tab lock shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 illustrates an exploded lower perspective view of the zipperpull tab lock shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 21 illustrates a cross sectional upper perspective view of a zipperpull tab lock according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 22 illustrates a cross sectional lower perspective view of thezipper pull tab lock shown in FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 illustrates an upper perspective view with a partial cut away ofthe zipper pull tab lock shown in FIG. 21.

FIG. 24A illustrates an exploded upper perspective view of the zipperpull tab lock shown in FIG. 21.

FIG. 24B illustrates an exploded upper perspective view of a zipper pulltab according to an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 25A illustrates an exploded lower perspective view of the zipperpull tab lock shown in FIG. 21.

FIG. 25B illustrates an exploded lower perspective view of the zipperpull tab lock shown in FIG. 24B.

FIG. 26 illustrates a cross sectional upper perspective view of a zipperpull tab lock according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 27 illustrates an exploded upper perspective view of the zipperpull tab lock shown in FIG. 26.

FIG. 28 illustrates a partial upper perspective view of the inclinableflap of the bassinet assembly and the side walls of the play yardaccording to an alternative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments of the invention are described more fullyhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some,but not all embodiments of the invention are shown in the figures. Theseinventions may be embodied in many different forms and should not beconstrued as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, theseembodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicablelegal requirements.

Brief Summary

Various embodiments of the invention provide an improved play yard andbassinet combination. For example, FIG. 1 illustrates a play yard andbassinet combination 50 according to various embodiments of theinvention in which the bassinet assembly 100 is secured adjacent theinner walls of the play yard 200 with a zipper. In particular, the playyard 200 includes four walls 206 and a floor 207, and an inner portion204 of the walls 206 adjacent the upper perimeter of the walls 206includes a row of zipper teeth 205 (shown in FIGS. 3-5). The bassinetassembly 100 includes a floor 102 and side walls 108 that extendupwardly from the floor 102. The upper edge of the side walls 108includes a row of teeth 130 (shown in FIGS. 3-5), and one or morezippers engage the teeth 130 of the bassinet assembly 100 with thecorresponding row of teeth 205 on the play yard 200 to attach thebassinet assembly 100 to the inner portion 204 of the side walls 206 ofthe play yard 200.

To provide an added layer of support should a primary means (e.g.,zipper, U-shaped hooks, metal rod/hook arrangement) for securing thebassinet assembly 100 within the play yard 200 fail, the bassinetassembly 100, according to various embodiments, further includes aplurality of male or female buckles 140 spaced around the outerperimeter of the bassinet floor 102, and the buckles 140 mate withcorresponding female or male buckles 215 (shown in FIGS. 4-5),respectively, attached to portions of side walls 206 of the play yard200. If the primary means for securing the bassinet assembly 100 were tofail, the engaged buckles 140, 215 would prevent the bassinet floor 102from dropping towards the floor 207 of the play yard 200.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, according to various embodiments, thebassinet assembly 100 defines an opening 160 in a medial portion of thefloor 102 through which a user can access a release mechanism 250 on thefloor 207 of the play yard 200 to collapse the play yard 200 withoutremoving the bassinet assembly 100 from the play yard 200. In theembodiment described above in relation to FIG. 1 in which the bassinetassembly 100 is secured to the play yard 200 using a zipper or otherflexible fastener, the play yard 200 can be collapsed without removingthe bassinet assembly 100 from the upper opening of the play yard 200.

The bassinet assembly 100 is further configured to provide an inclinedsurface for a baby. According to various embodiments, as shown in FIGS.1 and 10-12, the floor 102 of the bassinet assembly 100 includes aninclinable flap 104, and the inclinable flap 104 includes a row ofzipper teeth 106 along a portion of the perimeter of the inclinable flap104. Three adjacent side walls 108 of the bassinet assembly 100 includea corresponding row of zipper teeth 109 between an upper and lowerperimeter of the side walls 108. In particular, on two opposing sidewalls 108 a, 108 b, the row of zipper teeth 109 is disposed along aninclined path relative to the floor 102, and on a side wall 108 cintermediate the two opposing side walls 108 a, 108 b, the row of zipperteeth 109 is disposed along a path parallel to the floor 102. The rowsof teeth 106, 109 are engaged with one or more zippers to secure theinclinable flap 104 at an angle with respect to the floor 102. Forexample, in one embodiment, the angle of incline is about 10°.

In other various embodiments, the bassinet assembly 100 may furtherinclude at least one rod 120 that is disposed below at least a portionof an upper surface of the bassinet floor 102 to support a mattress pad300 to be disposed on the upper surface of the bassinet floor 102. Inone embodiment, each rod 120 includes a static portion 121 and aninclined portion 122, and the longitudinal axes 123, 124 of each portion121, 122, respectively, are disposed at an angle to each other (e.g.,about 10°). Each rod 120 is at least partially disposed in one or morepockets 125 that are attached below the upper surfaces of the floor 102and the inclinable flap 104 of the bassinet assembly 100 such that thestatic portion 121 is below a first half 102 a of the floor 102 and theinclined portion 122 is below the inclinable flap 104. When theinclinable flap 104 is pulled upwardly, each rod 120 rotates from a flatposition, which is shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, to an inclined position,which is shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. Similarly, when the inclinable flap104 of the floor 102 is lowered to the flat position, each rod 120rotates from the inclined position to the flat position.

According to various embodiments, the bassinet assembly 100 and the playyard 200 may utilize zipper pull tab locks for releasably securingzipper pull tabs to prevent the zippers from movement relative to rowsof zipper teeth. Exemplary zipper pull tab locks that may be utilizedare described in relation to FIGS. 17-27.

Various features of a bassinet assembly and a play yard and bassinetassembly combination according to various embodiments are describedbelow.

Bassinet Assembly

FIG. 1 illustrates the bassinet assembly 100 according to variousembodiments of the invention. The bassinet assembly includes the floor102 and four side walls 108 that extend upwardly from the floor 102. Asmentioned above, the side walls 108 have an upper perimeter 103, and arow of zipper teeth 130 (shown in FIGS. 3-5) is disposed along at leasta portion of the upper perimeter of the side walls 108. One or morezippers engage the row of zipper teeth 130 along the upper perimeter 103of the side walls 108 with the row of teeth 205 disposed along the innerportion 204 of the play yard 200 to removably secure the bassinetassembly 100 within the play yard 200, which is shown in FIGS. 3, 6, and9.

In various embodiments of the invention, the floor 102 of the bassinetassembly 100 includes an inclinable flap 104. According to theembodiment shown in FIG. 10, the inclinable flap 104 is attached to thebassinet floor 102 at one edge 112 of the flap 104, and the remainingedges 114 include zipper teeth 106 along at least a portion of the edges114. In a particular embodiment, the edge 112 is integrally formed withthe bassinet floor 102. In an alternative embodiment, the edge 112 maybe sewn or otherwise fastened to the bassinet floor 102. In addition,according to various embodiments, the length of the flap 104 may besubstantially less than or equal to the length of the bassinet floor102. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 10, and 13-16, theflap 104 is approximately half the length of the floor 102 and isattached to the bassinet floor 102 along a medial portion of the floor102.

In addition, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, correspondingrows of zipper teeth 109 are disposed on at least a portion of the oneor more side walls 108 a, 108 b, 108 c between the upper perimeter 103of the side walls 108 a, 108 b, 108 c and the floor 102. A first portion109 a and a second portion 109 b of the corresponding row of zipperteeth 109 are disposed on opposing side walls 108 a and 108 b along aninclined path at an angle θ to the floor 102, and a third portion 109 cof the row of teeth 109 is disposed on side wall 108 c, which isintermediate side walls 108 a and 108 b, along a path that issubstantially parallel to the floor 102. When one or more zippers areengaged with the row of zipper teeth 106 along the edges 114 of theinclinable flap 104 and the row of zipper teeth 109 along the side walls108 a-108 c, the inclinable flap 104 is secured at the angle θ withrespect to the floor 102. The one or more zippers are disengaged withthe rows of zipper teeth 106, 109 to allow the inclinable flap 104 tolay substantially flat against the floor 102.

According to various embodiments, the angle θ may be between about 5°and 15°, and in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 11-14, the angle θis about 10°. In addition, according to various embodiments, more thanone zipper may be utilized to secure the rows of zipper teeth 106, 109.In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the flap 104 may be secured atthe angle θ using snap fasteners disposed around the outer perimeter ofthe flap 104 that mate with corresponding snap fasteners disposed alongthe side walls 108 a-c. In addition, according to various alternativeembodiments, other fasteners, such as clips, hook and loop, snaps, orbuckles, for example, may be used to secure the inclinable flap or floorat an angle with respect to the support surface.

In one embodiment, the one or more zippers includes a first zipper and asecond zipper disposed in an in-line arrangement such that the firstzipper and the second zipper are disposed adjacent each other when theinclinable flap is secured at the angle of the inclined path relative tothe floor. In another embodiment, the one or more zippers consist of onezipper. In yet another embodiment, the one or more zippers include threezippers that are each disposed on a separate side wall 108 a-108 c.

In one alternative embodiment (not shown), the floor does not include aseparate inclinable flap, and a first set of fasteners are disposedalong at least a portion of a perimeter the floor. A second set ofmating fasteners are disposed along at least a portion of one or moreside walls of the bassinet assembly between the upper perimeter and thelower perimeter of the one or more side walls, and the first set offasteners are engaged with the second set of fasteners to secure thefloor at an angle greater than 0° with respect to the support surface.In addition, a third set of fasteners are disposed substantiallyadjacent the lower perimeter of at least a portion of the one or moreside walls, and the first set of fasteners are engaged with the thirdset of fasteners to secure the floor at an angle substantially equal to0° with respect to the support surface.

In various embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 13-16, the inclinable flap 104includes an upper surface 116 and a lower surface 118, and one or morerods 120 are each disposed below the lower surface 118 of the inclinableflap 104. Each of the one or more rods 120 includes a static portion 121that has a first longitudinal axis 123 and an inclined portion 122 thathas a second longitudinal axis 124. The first longitudinal axis 123 andthe second longitudinal axis 124 intersect at an angle α substantiallyequal to the inclined angle θ. When the inclinable flap 104 is raisedrelative to the floor 102, each rod 120 rotates about the firstlongitudinal axis 123 such that the first 123 and second longitudinalaxes 124 are in a plane substantially perpendicular to the supportsurface 10. When the inclinable flap 104 is allowed to lay substantiallyflat against the floor 102, each rod 120 rotates about the firstlongitudinal axis 123 such that the first 123 and second longitudinalaxes 124 are in a plane substantially parallel to the support surface10. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, thelongitudinal axes 123, 124 intersect at an angle of about 10° such thatwhen the inclinable flap 104 is raised above the floor 102 and securedto the side walls 108 a-108 c, the second longitudinal axis 124 forms anangle with the floor 102 of about 10°.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, each rod 120 is disposedwithin a pocket 125 that is sewn or otherwise attached to the lowersurface 118 of the inclinable flap 104 and below an upper surface of thefloor 102. In one embodiment, for example, a first pocket 125 a is sewnbetween the upper surface and the lower surface of the floor 102 and asecond pocket 125 b is sewn to the lower surface of the inclinable flap104. Each pocket 125 a, 125 b has an opening 320 adjacent the edge 112of the flap 104 through which rods 120 can be inserted into and removedfrom the pockets 125 a, 125 b. In various other embodiments, each rod120 may be secured relative to the lower surface of the inclinable flap104 using straps, clips, or hook and loop fasteners (not shown), forexample.

In various alternative embodiments (not shown), the floor 102 (or theinclinable flap 104) of the bassinet assembly 100 is inclinable alongsubstantially the entire length of the floor 102. In one suchembodiment, one or more straight rods are disposed below the floor 102(and/or inclinable flap 104) of the bassinet assembly 100 such that thelongitudinal axis of each straight rod is oriented substantiallyparallel with the longitudinal axis of the floor 102.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a mesh arrangement for the side walls 108 ofthe bassinet assembly 100 according to one embodiment of the invention.In particular, the side walls 108 include a mesh portion 151 thatextends substantially the height of the side wall 108 from the floor 102to the upper perimeter 103 of the side walls 108, and a substantiallysolid wall portion 150 (e.g., a solid fabric portion or a bumperportion) extends from the upper perimeter 103 of the side walls 108 toan intermediate portion of the side walls 108 between the upperperimeter 103 and the floor 102. A child lying in the bassinet 100 canbreathe through the mesh portion 151 of the side walls 108 that isdisposed below the substantially solid wall portion 150.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the bassinet assembly 100 accordingto various embodiments of the invention in which the floor 102 of thebassinet assembly 100 further defines an opening 160 therethrough. Inone embodiment, the opening 160 is defined through a medial portion ofthe floor 102. A user can access the release mechanism 250 of the playyard 200 through the opening 160 without removing the bassinet assembly100 from the play yard 200. The opening 160 may be shaped like atriangle, as shown in the embodiment in FIG. 6, or, in various otherembodiments, it may have a different shape, such as a rectangular shape,a circular shape, or a hexagonal shape. In addition, according tovarious embodiments, the release mechanism 250 can be, for example, astrap, a handle, or a button.

In a particular embodiment, the floor 102 of the bassinet assembly 100further includes a hatch 165 that is securable over the opening 160.According to one embodiment, a hook (or loop) fastener strip is disposedalong at least a portion of a perimeter of the hatch 165, and a loop (orhook) fastener strip is disposed along at least a portion of a perimeterof the opening 160 such that the hook and loop fasteners may be engagedto removably secure the hatch 165 over the opening 160. Other fastenersfor removably securing the hatch 165 over the opening 160 may includeone or more snap fasteners, zippers, buttons, or other suitablefastener.

According to an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 28, the bassinetassembly 800 includes a floor 802 that includes an inclinable flap 804and one or more side walls 806 that extend upwardly from a perimeter ofthe floor 802 and surround the floor 802. The inclinable flap 804 isdisposed adjacent the floor 802 along a first edge 812 of the inclinableflap 804, and the inclinable flap 804 includes a first row of teeth 830for engaging one or more zippers disposed along at least a portion of asecond edge 814 of the inclinable flap 804, wherein the second edge 814is spaced apart from the first edge 812.

In addition, the one or more side walls 806 have an upper perimeter anda lower perimeter, and the lower perimeter is adjacent the floor 802. Asecond row of teeth 803 for engaging the one or more zippers is disposedon at least a portion of a first side wall 806 a, which is spaced apartfrom the first edge 812 of the inclinable flap 804, and the second rowof teeth 803 are disposed between the upper perimeter and the lowerperimeter of the first side wall 806 a along a path that issubstantially parallel to the floor 802 and spaced above the floor 802.The one or more zippers are engageable with the first row of teeth 830and the second row of teeth 803 to join the first row of teeth 830adjacent the second row of teeth 803 and to secure the inclinable flap804 at an angle greater than 0° relative to the floor 802. The one ormore zippers are disengageable with the first row of teeth 830 and thesecond row of teeth 803 to allow the inclinable flap 804 to laysubstantially flat against the floor 802.

In a particular embodiment, the first edge 812 of the inclinable flap804 is integrally formed with the floor 802. In another embodiment (notshown), the first edge 812 of the inclinable flap 804 is sewn orotherwise attached to the floor 802.

Play Yard

FIG. 2 illustrates a play yard 200 according to various embodiments ofthe invention. The play yard 200 includes upper horizontal frame members202 and lower horizontal frame members 208 that are joined together byvertical frame members 210. The frame members 202, 208, 210 may becollapsed and folded together for storage and/or transportation of theplay yard 200. In one embodiment, the frame members 202, 208, 210 arejoined together by hinges that lock to prevent movement of the framemembers 202, 208, 210 relative to each other when the play yard isexpanded. Release buttons are provided along the frame members 202, 208,210 to release (or unlock) the hinges to allow the frame members 202,208, 210 to move relative to each other, which allows the play yard 200to be collapsed for storage and/or transportation. In addition, arelease mechanism 250 is provided at a medial portion of the lowerhorizontal frame members 208 along a central vertical axis 260 of theplay yard 200. When the release mechanism 250 is actuated, the hinges,which may be part of the lower horizontal frame members, are unlocked(or unlockable), and the lower horizontal frame members 208 are able tobe folded upwardly with respect to the vertical frame members 210, theupper horizontal frame members 202 are released (or are able to bereleased) and able to be folded downwardly with respect to the verticalframe members 210, and the vertical frame members 210 are able to bemoved inwardly toward the vertical axis 260, collapsing the play yard200. In one embodiment, the release mechanism 250 is a strap as shown inFIG. 2, and the strap is pulled upwardly away from the lower horizontalframe members 202 to collapse the play yard 200. In alternativeembodiments, the release mechanism is a handle or button, for example.

The lower ends 212 of two vertical frame members 210 adjacent thesupport surface 10 may each include a wheel 214, and the lower ends 212of the other two vertical frame members 210 may include stops 216 toprevent the play yard 200 from rolling.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the frame members 202, 208, 210 arecovered with fabric material to form four substantially vertical sidewalls 206 and a floor 207 suspended above a support surface 10. Theupper perimeters of the substantially vertical side walls 206 define anopening through which a child may be moved in or out of the play yard200. The fabric material forming the floor 207 is a substantially solidmaterial, and the fabric material forming each side wall 206 includes asubstantially solid fabric material portion 230 adjacent the framemembers 202, 208, 210 and a mesh portion 231 extending between thesubstantially solid fabric material portions 230 over a central portionof each side wall 206. In one embodiment (not shown), the mesh material231 extends over a portion of the solid fabric material portion 230.

As discussed above, various embodiments of the play yard 200 include azipper attachment feature along the inner surface 204 of the side walls206 of the play yard 200 to attach the bassinet assembly 100 within theplay yard 200. In particular, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a row of zipperteeth 205 is disposed below an upper perimeter of the play yard 200 andextends along the inner surface 204 of the side walls 206 of the playyard 200. In a particular embodiment, the row of zipper teeth 205 areattached to a lower edge of the solid material portion 230 that extendsover the upper horizontal frame members 202. In one embodiment, the rowof zipper teeth 205 may be disposed about four to about six inches belowthe upper perimeter of the side walls 206. As discussed below, one ormore zippers engage the row of zipper teeth 205 and a corresponding rowof zipper teeth 130 attached to the upper perimeter 103 of the sidewalls 108 of the bassinet assembly 100 to secure the bassinet assembly100 within the play yard 200. According to one embodiment, the row ofzipper teeth 205 may be attached to the solid material 230 by sewing orwelding a fastener tape to which the rows of teeth 205 are attached tothe solid material 230 along the inner surface 204 of the side walls206. In addition, according to various embodiments, the zipperedenclosure eliminates gaps that may cause entrapment of an infant lyingwithin the bassinet assembly 100.

In one embodiment, the one or more zippers includes a first zipper and asecond zipper disposed in an in-line arrangement such that the firstzipper and the second zipper are disposed adjacent each other when thebassinet assembly 100 is fully secured adjacent the upper perimeter ofthe play yard 200. In another embodiment, the one or more zippersinclude four zippers that are each disposed on a separate side wall. Inyet another embodiment, the one or more zippers consists of one zipper.

According to a particular embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a lower perimeter201 of the side walls 206 adjacent the lower horizontal frame members208 of the play yard 200 form a substantially rectangular shape and theupper perimeter of the side walls 206 of the play yard 200 adjacent theupper horizontal frame members 202 form a semi-rectangular shape. Inparticular, the side walls 206 include one side wall that has an arcuateshape at its upper perimeter and three side walls that intersect atsubstantially 90° angles to each another at their upper perimeter.However, according to various other embodiments, the shape of the playyard can be substantially rectangular, substantially oval, orsubstantially circular, for example.

Redundant Support Feature for Bassinet Assembly Secured with the PlayYard

According to various embodiments, the bassinet assembly and play yardcombination includes one or more redundant support features that provideadditional vertical support for the bassinet assembly and prevent thebassinet assembly from falling to the floor of the play yard should aprimary attachment means (e.g., zipper, U-shaped hooks, metal rod/hookarrangement, clips, hook and loop, etc.) fail. In a particularembodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a male (or female) buckle 140 isattached to each outer corner of the floor 102 of the bassinet assembly100, and a female (or male) buckle 215 is attached to each verticalframe member 210. The male buckle 140 is engaged into the female buckle215 prior to zipping the upper perimeter of the walls 108 of thebassinet assembly 100 to the inner perimeter of the play yard 200, asshown in FIG. 5.

According to one embodiment, the buckles 140 may be attached to thebassinet assembly 100 by sewing one end of a strap to the buckle 140 andthe other end of the strap to the floor 102 of the bassinet assembly100. Similarly, the buckle 215 may be attached relative to the play yard200 by sewing one end of a strap to the buckle 215 and the other end ofthe strap to the solid material 230 of the play yard 200. According tovarious other embodiments, the buckle 215 may be attached relative tothe play yard 200 by disposing one end of the strap through or around avertical frame member 210 of the play yard 200 and sewing the other endof the strap to the buckle 215. In such embodiments, the buckle 215 andportion of the strap adjacent the buckle 215 may be thread throughgrommets or button holes in the solid material 230 such that the buckle215 can be engaged with the corresponding buckle 140 attached to thebassinet assembly 100.

In other various embodiments, the redundant support feature may includesnaps, clips, clasps, and polypropylene webbing, for example.

Mattress Pad

As shown in FIG. 1, various embodiments may include a mattress pad 300to fit over floor 207 of the play yard 200, or the pad 300 may beinserted over the floor 102 of the bassinet assembly 100. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 1, the mattress pad 300 includes four sections301 a, 301 b, 302 a, 302 b, that allow the pad 300 to be folded aroundthe perimeter (relative to its longitudinal axis) of the play yard 200when the play yard 200 is collapsed and to hinge with respect to eachother, allowing the mattress pad 300 to correspond to the contour of thebassinet assembly floor 102 of the bassinet assembly 100. Accordingly,if the floor 102 of the bassinet assembly 100 is in the inclinedposition, one section 302 a, 302 b of the mattress pad 300 can hingeupwardly with respect to the other section 301 a, 301 b. Similarly, ifthe bassinet assembly floor 102 is in the flat position, the mattresspad 300 can lay flat along the length of the floor 102. In other variousembodiments, the mattress pad may include two or more sections that areflexible or hinge with respect to each other. In another embodiment, themattress pad may consist of one section only. In yet another embodiment,the mattress pad comprises two or more separate sections that are laidadjacent each other on the floor 102 of the bassinet assembly 100 or onthe floor 202 of the play yard 200.

Zipper Lock

According to various embodiments of the invention, a zipper pull tablock mechanism may be provided to secure the zipper pull tabs of the oneor more zippers used to secure the bassinet assembly 100 within the playyard 200 or the inclinable flap 104 of the bassinet assembly 100 in aninclined position with respect to the floor 102 of the bassinet assembly100.

FIG. 17 illustrates a perspective view of a zipper pull tab lock 400according to one embodiment. In particular, the zipper pull tab lock 400includes an outer sleeve 401 and an inner sleeve 451. The outer sleeve401 defines a cavity 403, an opening 405 at a first end 406 of thecavity 403, and a release tab 408 disposed above the cavity 403. Therelease tab 408 has a free end 409 and a fixed end 410, and the fixedend 410 of the release tab 408 is integrally formed with the outersleeve 401 adjacent the opening 405. The free end 409 of the release tab408 is movable downwardly into the cavity 403, and the free end 409 andthe fixed end 410 of the release tab 408 are aligned along alongitudinal axis 411 of the outer sleeve 401.

The inner sleeve 451 includes a lower surface 453, and the lower surface453 defines an engaging tab 455 that includes a free end 456, a fixedend 457 integrally formed with the lower surface 453, a first protrusion458, and a second protrusion 459. The free end 456 and the fixed end 457of the engaging tab 455 are aligned along a longitudinal axis 460 of theinner sleeve 451. The first protrusion 458 is disposed adjacent the freeend 456 of the engaging tab 455, and the second protrusion 459 isdisposed inwardly of the free end 458 toward the fixed end 457 of theengaging tab 455. The first protrusion 458 and the second protrusion 459extend upwardly from the lower surface 453 of the inner sleeve 451.

The inner sleeve 451 is slidably engageable within the opening 405 ofthe cavity 403 such that the first protrusion 458 on the free end 456 ofthe engaging tab 455 is disposed below the free end 409 of the releasetab 408 of the outer sleeve 401. In addition, a longitudinal axis 460 ofthe inner sleeve 451 is coaxial with the longitudinal axis 411 of theouter sleeve 401 when the inner sleeve 451 is slidably engaged withinthe cavity 403 of the outer sleeve 401.

Furthermore, a stop 461 extends downwardly from the lower surface 453 ofthe inner sleeve 451, and the outer sleeve 401 includes a lower surface414 that defines a hole 412. The stop 461 is engaged into the hole 412when the inner sleeve 451 is slidably engaged in the cavity 403 of theouter sleeve 401 to prevent the inner sleeve 451 from being slidablydisengaged from the outer sleeve 401. In an alternative embodiment (notshown), the lower surface 414 of the outer sleeve 401 defines adepressed portion into which the stop 461 may be engaged to prevent theinner sleeve 451 from being slidably disengaged from the cavity 403 ofthe outer sleeve 401.

A zipper pull tab 470 defining a hole 471 therethrough is slidablyengageable within the opening 405 of the cavity 403 such that the secondprotrusion 459 engages the hole 471 of the zipper pull tab 470 toprevent removal of the zipper pull tab 470 from the cavity 403 of theouter sleeve 401. When the release tab 408 is urged downwardly intocontact with the first protrusion 458, the free end 456 of the engagingtab 455 is moved downwardly and the second protrusion 459 is moved awayfrom the hole 471 of the pull tab 470, allowing the pull tab 471 to beslidably disengaged from the opening 405 of the cavity 403.

The lower surface 414 of the outer sleeve 401 further defines an opening413 through which the free end 456 of the engaging tab 455 moves whenthe release tab 408 is urged downwardly into contact with the firstprotrusion 458. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the lowersurface 414 of the outer sleeve 401 defines a depressed portion intowhich the free end 456 of the engaging tab 455 moves when the releasetab 408 is urged downwardly into contact with the first protrusion 458.

The engaging tab 455 and release tab 408 described above allow for thezipper pull tab 470 to be removably engaged within the zipper pull tablock 400. In a further embodiment, the zipper pull tab lock 400 providesfor permanently securing a second zipper pull tab 480 within the outersleeve 401 such that two zippers may be secured adjacent each other inan end-to-end relationship along the longitudinal axis 411 of the outersleeve 401. In particular, the outer sleeve 401 further defines a secondopening 415 at a second end 416 of the outer sleeve 401 that is oppositethe first end 406 along the longitudinal axis 411 of the outer sleeve401. In addition, an upwardly extending protrusion 422 is disposed on alower surface 420 of the outer sleeve 401. The upwardly extendingprotrusion 422 is configured for engaging a hole 481 defined through thesecond zipper pull tab 480 such that when the second zipper pull tab 480is slidably engaged through the second opening 415, the upwardlyextending protrusion 422 is engaged through the hole 481 of the secondzipper pull tab 480 to prevent the second zipper pull tab 480 from beingdisengaged from the outer sleeve 401. In one embodiment, an uppersurface of the outer sleeve 401 is substantially solid above theupwardly extending protrusion 422 such that the upwardly extendingprotrusion 422 cannot be urged downwardly through the upper surface ofthe outer sleeve 401.

As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the upwardly extending protrusion 422 andthe free end 409 of said release tab 408 are disposed opposite eachother and adjacent a central vertical axis 490 through a medial portion430 of the outer sleeve 401. The central vertical axis 490 issubstantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 411 of the outersleeve 401.

FIGS. 21-23, 24A, and 25A illustrate a zipper pull tab lock 500according to another embodiment of the invention. The zipper pull tablock 500 includes an outer housing 501 and two inner sleeves 551, 571.

The outer housing 501 includes an upper surface 503 that defines a firstopening 505, a lower surface 507, a cavity defined between the uppersurface 503 and the lower surface 507, a first end portion 509 thatdefines a second opening 510, and a second end portion 515 that definesa third opening 516. The first opening 505, the second opening 510, andthe third opening 516 are in communication with the cavity. A verticalaxis 511 of the outer housing 501 extends through the first opening 505,and a longitudinal axis 513 of the outer housing 501 extends through thesecond opening 510 and the third opening 516. The longitudinal axis 513and the vertical axis 511 are substantially perpendicular to each other.

Inner sleeve 551 is slidably engageable within the cavity of the outerhousing 501 through the second opening 510, and inner sleeve 571 isslidably engageable within the cavity of the outer housing 501 throughthe third opening 516. Each inner sleeve 551, 571 includes a lowersurface 553 that defines an engaging tab 555, and the engaging tab 555includes a free end 557, a fixed end 559 integrally formed with thelower surface 553, a first protrusion 560, and a second protrusion 561.The free end 557 and the fixed end 559 of the engaging tab 555 arealigned along a longitudinal axis 570 of the inner sleeve 551, the firstprotrusion 560 is disposed adjacent the free end 557 of the engaging tab555, and the second protrusion 561 is disposed inwardly of the free end557 toward the fixed end 559 of the engaging tab 555. The firstprotrusion 560 and the second protrusion 561 extend upwardly from thelower surface 553.

In addition, a stop 563 extends downwardly from the lower surface 553 ofeach inner sleeve 551, 571, and the lower surface 507 of the outerhousing 501 defines two openings 512 a, 512 b that are in communicationwith the cavity. The stop 563 of each inner sleeve 551, 571 isengageable with the opening 512 a, 512 b, respectively, when the innersleeves 551, 571 are slidably engaged in the outer housing 501 toprevent the inner sleeves 551, 571 from being slidably disengaged fromthe outer housing 501. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), thelower surface 507 of the outer housing 501 may define depressed portionsthat are in communication with the cavity that engage the stops 563 ofthe inner sleeves 551, 571.

As mentioned above, the inner sleeves 551, 571 are slidably engageablewithin the second opening 510 and the third opening 516, respectively,along the longitudinal axis 513 of the outer housing 501 such that thefirst protrusion 560 on the free end 557 of the engaging tab 555 isdisposed below the first opening 505. In addition, the first zipper pulltab 470 is slidably engageable within the second opening 510 of thecavity such that the second protrusion 561 of inner sleeve 551 engagesthe hole 471 of the first zipper pull tab 470 to prevent removal of thefirst zipper pull tab 470 from the cavity of the outer housing 501.Similarly, the zipper pull tab 480 is slidably engageable within thethird opening 516 of the cavity such that the second protrusion 561 ofinner sleeve 571 engages the hole 481 of the second zipper pull tab 480to prevent removal of the second zipper pull tab 480 from the cavity ofthe outer housing 501. When the first protrusions 560 of the innersleeves 551, 571 are urged downwardly through the first opening 505, thefree ends 557 of the engaging tabs 555 are moved downwardly and thesecond protrusions 561 are moved away from the holes 471, 481 of thezipper pull tabs 470, 480, respectively, allowing the zipper pull tabs470, 480 to be slidably disengaged from the second opening 510 and thethird opening 516 of the cavity.

In a particular embodiment, the lower surface 507 of the outer housing501 defines at least one opening 514 through which the free ends 557 ofthe engaging tabs 555 of the inner sleeves 551, 571 can move when urgeddownwardly through the first opening 505. In an alternative embodiment(not shown), the lower surface 507 of the outer housing 501 may define adepressed portion in communication with the cavity into which the freeends 557 of the engaging tabs 555 of the inner sleeves 551, 571 canmove.

As shown in FIGS. 21-23, 24A, and 25A, the zipper pull tab lock 500 alsoincludes a button 580 that is disposed within the first opening 505, andthe button is movable downwardly to engage the first protrusions 560disposed on the free ends 557 of the engaging tabs 555 of the innersleeves 551, 571. The first opening 505 and the button 580 shown inthese figures are oval shaped.

In an alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 24B and 25B, a firstprotrusion 660 a is disposed on the engaging tab 655 of inner sleeve651, and a first protrusion 660 b is disposed on the engaging tab 655 ofinner sleeve 671. The first protrusions 660 a, 660 b extend upwardlyfrom the lower surface of inner sleeves 651, 671, respectively, and eachhave a half-spherical shape. The half-spherical shape of the firstprotrusion 660 a on inner sleeve 651 is disposed adjacent thehalf-spherical shape of the first protrusion 660 b on inner sleeve 671,forming a substantially whole spherical shape, when the inner sleeves651, 671 are slidably engaged within the cavity of the outer housing501. The first protrusions 660 a, 660 b extend upwardly through asubstantially circular opening 605 defined in the upper surface 503 ofthe outer housing 501.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), a tool is removably insertedinto the first opening 505 to move the free end 557 of the engaging tab555 downwardly.

In a further embodiment, the outer housing 501 of the zipper pull tablock 500 defines slots 585 that extend along the sides 586 of the outerhousing 501 between each end 509, 515 of the outer housing 501. Theslots 585 can receive straps to secure the zipper pull tab lock 500adjacent another object.

FIGS. 26 and 27 illustrate a zipper pull tab lock 700 according to yetanother embodiment of the invention. The zipper pull tab lock 700includes a housing 701, a lock member 751, and a compression spring 765.The housing 701 includes an upper housing member 703 and a lower housingmember 705, and the upper 703 and lower housing members 705 form achannel 707 therebetween. The upper housing member 703 defines a firstopening 709 through a medial portion thereof along a vertical axis 710of the housing 701, and the upper housing member 703 and the lowerhousing member 705 define a second opening 711 at a first end 713 and athird opening 721 at a second end 720 thereof The second 711 and thirdopenings 721 are disposed along a longitudinal axis 715 of the housing701. The longitudinal axis 715 and the vertical axis 710 aresubstantially perpendicular to each other. The lower housing member 705also defines a depressed portion 717 disposed below the first opening709 of the upper housing member 703 along the vertical axis 710. Thefirst opening 709, the second opening 711, the third opening 721, andthe depressed portion 717 are in communication with the channel 707.

The lock member 751 is disposed within the channel 707 along thevertical axis 710, and the lock member 751 includes an upper surface 753that is accessible through the first opening 709. The lock member 751also includes a lower surface 755 that is disposed adjacent to thedepressed portion 717 and two integrated paws 757, 761 that are definedin side surfaces 759, 763 of the lock member 751. The side surfaces 759,763 extend between the upper surface 753 and the lower surface 755. Theintegrated paws 757, 761 are about 180 degrees apart from each other,and each integrated paw 757, 761 is configured for engaging the hole471, 481 defined through zipper pull tabs 470, 480.

The compression spring 765 is disposed intermediate the depressedportion 717 and the lower surface 755 of the lock member 751, and thecompression spring biases the lock member 701 upwardly to maintainengagement of the integrated paws 757, 761 within the hole 471, 481 ofrespective zipper pull tabs 470, 480 when the zipper pull tabs 470, 480are slidably engaged through the second opening 711 and third opening721, respectively, along the longitudinal axis 715 of the housing 701.When the lock member 751 is moved downwardly, the integrated paws 757,761 are disengaged from the holes 471, 481 of the zipper pull tabs 470,480, respectively, allowing the zipper pull tabs 470, 480 to be slidablydisengaged from the second opening 711 and the third opening 721,respectively, of the housing 701.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, the upper surface 753 of thelock member 751 extends through the first opening 709, and the lockmember 751 is substantially cylindrical. However, in alternativeembodiment (not shown), the upper surface of the lock member may notextend through the first opening (e.g., may be accessible through thefirst opening), and the lock member may have a different shape, such asrectangular or triangular.

Conclusion

Although this invention has been described in specific detail withreference to the disclosed embodiments, it will be understood that manyvariations and modifications may be effected within the spirit and scopeof the invention as described in the appended claims.

1. A collapsible play yard and bassinet assembly combination comprising:a collapsible play yard having upper horizontal frame members thatdefine an upper perimeter of said play yard and lower horizontal framemembers that define a floor of said play yard, wherein said floor ofsaid play yard comprises a release mechanism attached adjacent saidlower horizontal frame members, and when said release mechanism isengaged, said lower horizontal frame members are collapsed; and abassinet assembly having a floor and one or more side walls that extendupwardly from a perimeter of said floor of said bassinet assembly andsurround said floor of said bassinet assembly, wherein said side wallshave an upper perimeter, said upper perimeter being adapted for securingadjacent said upper perimeter of said play yard, and wherein said floorof said bassinet assembly defines an opening through said floor of saidbassinet assembly, said opening allowing a user to reach through saidopening to access and engage said release mechanism without removingsaid bassinet assembly from said play yard.
 2. The play yard andbassinet assembly combination of claim 1 wherein said floor of saidbassinet assembly further comprises a hatch that is securable over saidopening.
 3. The play yard and bassinet assembly combination of claim 2wherein one of hook or loop fastener is disposed along at least aportion of a perimeter of said hatch and one of the other of loop orhook fastener is disposed along at least a portion of a perimeter ofsaid opening such that said hook and loop fasteners may be engaged tosecure said hatch over said opening.
 4. The play yard and bassinetassembly combination of claim 1 wherein: said play yard comprises afirst row of teeth for engaging one or more zippers, said first row ofteeth being disposed on said fabric material along at least a portion ofan inner perimeter of said play yard below said upper horizontal framemembers, said bassinet assembly comprises a second row of teeth forengaging said one or more zippers, said second row of teeth beingdisposed along at least a portion of said upper perimeter of said sidewalls of said bassinet assembly, and said one or more zippers areadapted for engaging said first row of teeth and said second row ofteeth to removably secure said bassinet assembly within said upperperimeter of said play yard.
 5. The play yard and bassinet assemblycombination of claim 4 wherein said play yard comprises a first verticalframe member and a second vertical frame member, each of said verticalframe members extending between said upper horizontal frame members andsaid lower horizontal frame members and supporting said upper horizontalframe members in a spaced apart relationship with said lower horizontalframe members, said play yard and bassinet assembly combination furthercomprising: a first redundant support member and a second redundantsupport member disposed in a spaced apart arrangement around an innerperimeter of said play yard, said first redundant support member beingdisposed adjacent said first vertical frame member and said secondredundant support member being disposed adjacent said second verticalframe member; and a first mating redundant support member and a secondmating redundant support member, said first and second mating redundantsupport members being disposed adjacent an outer perimeter of said floorof said bassinet assembly such that said first mating redundant supportmember is disposed adjacent said first redundant support member and saidsecond mating redundant support member is disposed adjacent said secondredundant support member when said bassinet assembly is secured withinsaid play yard, wherein said first mating redundant support member isconfigured for engaging said first redundant support member and saidsecond mating redundant support member is configured for engaging saidsecond redundant support member to provide additional vertical supportfor said floor of said bassinet assembly.
 6. The play yard and bassinetassembly combination of claim 5 wherein each of said first and secondredundant support members are a buckle member and each of said first andsecond mating redundant support members are a mating buckle member. 7.The play yard and bassinet assembly combination of claim 5 wherein eachof said first and second redundant support members are a snap member andeach of said first and second mating redundant support members are amating snap member.
 8. The play yard and bassinet assembly combinationof claim 5 wherein each of said first and second redundant supportmembers is a hook member and each of said first and second matingredundant support members are a hook receiving member.
 9. The play yardand bassinet assembly combination of claim 1 further comprising amattress pad, said mattress pad configured for being disposed on top ofsaid floor of said bassinet assembly and for following a profile of saidfloor of said bassinet assembly.
 10. The play yard and bassinet assemblycombination of claim 1 wherein said release mechanism is a strap. 11.The play yard and bassinet assembly combination of claim 10 wherein saidstrap is pulled upwardly to allow said lower horizontal frame members tomove upwardly and inwardly toward each other.
 12. The play yard andbassinet assembly combination of claim 1 wherein said release mechanismis a handle.
 13. The play yard and bassinet assembly combination ofclaim 1 wherein said release mechanism is a button.
 14. The play yardand bassinet assembly combination of claim 1 wherein said opening isdisposed in a medial portion of said floor of said bassinet assembly.